Gasoline meter



Aug 2, 1932- H. G. wEYMoLlTH ET Al. 1,870,155

GAsoLmE METER Filed April 3. 1929 2 sheets-sheet 1 Aug- 2 1932 H. G. WEYMOUTH ET AL 1,870,155

GASOLINE METER Y Filed April 3. 1929 2V Sheets-Sheet 2 v l -1 Myw l y www Patented Aug. I2, 1932 v AUNITED STATES Hanny G. wnYuoUTIr -Aminata. n. KREIDLEB, op PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA AssIGNoBs To PITTSBURGH EQUITABLE METER COMPANY, or. PITTSBURGH, PENN- PATENT or-'Flca I' y SYLVANIA, A CORPORATION PENNSYLVANIA GASQLINE METER This invention relatesto a register for a fluid meter especially designed for use in connection with the dispensing of gasoline, although the invention is obviously capable of other uses. The present application is a continuation in part of an application of Harry -G. Weymouth and Earl M. Kreidler, Seri al Number 249,062 filed January 24, 1928. 4

A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved and thoroughly practical register for fluid meters for use in dispensing fiuid, the operation of whichA is visibly'and audibly indicated so that the purchaser of the metered fluid may be apprised of the quantity that is passing through the meter.

' Another object of the invention is the provision of a register having a plurality of visi- -ble indicators and an audible indicator all 2u' arranged compactly within a casing for the device, the visible indicators and said audible indicator simultaneously apprising the purchaser of each successive u nit quantity of fluid delivered. l y

A still further object of theinvention is to provide a fluid register comprising an indicat- ',tor movable over a dial and adapted to traverse a complete revolution for each unit lof -iluid metered and which further comprises another indicator -that is simultaneously movable over said dialand adapted to traverse only a portion of a revolution foreach unit of fluid metered, and which further comprises means wher'eby the indicators may be readily and accurately reset to their zero position. l.

A still urtherobject of the invention is' to provide a visible fiuid` meter indicator and -register comprising a plurality of synchro- 40 nously moving indicating and registering elements arranged to be visible from a plurality of opposite directions and which comprises novel means for resetting all of said indicaftors to their zero positions, which indicator -1 or. register may be 'readily convertible into an instrument readable only from one l -,register constituting one of the embodiments direction.

I Y Y A still further object of the invention is to provide a register having a plurality of pairs ne of indicators arrangedvsuch that the indiand a casing enclosing said-visible lndicators and said audible indicator. A still further object of the invention is to provide a register for fluid meters comprising a mechanism support, said support provided with a dial and indicating hands and adapted for ready attachment or detachment of a second dial and associated indicating hands.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a register for a fluid meter, said register adapted to be secured to said meter by` means permitting limited relative rotational movement about the vertical. axis of said register and said-c .xmeter so that the register can be readily made to face in the direction desired by 'the user.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a register comprising simple' 'means for resetting the indicator hands which means is arranged to prevent tampering with the meter mechanism and to'positively prevent the operation of the resetting means in other than the vproper direction withoutimposing the strain incident to attempts to move the indicator hands in the wrong direction on the mechanism of the register.

With the above objects in view as wellcas 4others that will appear from the following disclosure reference will'be had to the `accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and in which:

Figure 1 is a vfront elevational view of a of our invention, illustrated in operative con'- nectlon with a fluld meter.

.Flgure 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the construction illustrated in Figure clapper'bracket viewed in a direction opposite to that in which it appears in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a detail plan view of the bell operating cam. l

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section of operating mechanism shown in Figure 2. i

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 disclosing a modification of the invention.

Figure 8 isa fragmentary sectional view showing a modified crystal attaching means.

Figure 9 is an end view of the resetting knob showingthe pawl and ratchet mechanism associated therewith.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are designated by like reference characters, 10 designates a fluid meter which may be of any desired construction but is prefer ably of the nutating disk type, the nutations of the disk in operation of the meter imparting rotation to a shaft 11 having a gear 12 detachably secured to the outer end thereof as indicated at 13. Suitable reduction gearing is employed in well known manner to cause movement of gear 12 at a desired rate commensurate with the quantity of Huid passing through the meter.

The improved visible and audible register and indicator is included in a cylindrical casing 14, cut away as shown at 15, providing transversely spaced edges 16 to which are detachably secured ears 17 of a base 18 of a supporting bracket 19 as indicated at. A21, (Fig. 3) the gap 15 providing for assembly of casing 14 with the base 18 of bracket 19 disposed externally of the casing, while the portion that supports the operating parts of the register extends through said opening or gap.

The base 18 of bracket 19 includes a circular locating shoulder 22 for seating engagement with a channel 23 formed in a flange 24 attached to the casing of meter 10. Base 18 inwardly of shoulder 22 is provided with two oppositely disposed recesses or grooves 25 whose bottoms are straight. The bottoms of said grooves are parallel and each of the recesses 25 receives a nose 26 (Fig. 1) of a nut27. Each nut is provided with a spacing lug '28 disposed opposite nose 26.

A bolt 29 extends through an aperture in meter liange 24 and is threaded into the body portion of each of the nuts 27 for adjustabl'y drawing the noses 26 into firm engagement with the lower walls of recesses 25 and there.- by drawing base 18 into firm engagement with anges 24 for holding base 18 intoimmovable engagement with said 4flange, the

nuts tilting on lugs 28, if necessary to bring about such` firm engagement.

posed at exactly the desired angle with respect to any casing in which it may be mounted upon connecting of the meter in operativev position on the conduits or pipes that convey the gasoline to it. A slight adjustment between register and meter is provided by permitting relative rotary movement between base 18 and ange 24. Such adjustment is permitted b the slight spaces between the inner ends o noses 26 and-the bottoms of recesses 25 allowing turning movement of base 18 and, consequently, the register face relative to flange 24 about'avertical axis upon loosening bolts 29. When the register is brought so that its faces are brought exactly to the desired position, the bolts 29 are tightened and the base and meter immovably vclamped together, the nuts 26 rocking on lugs 28, if necessary, to bring this about as above stated. rl`he gear 34 has a planetary motion around gear 12 during such adjustment.

Bracket 19 extends upwardly within casing 14 providing a support for the entire registering and indicating mechanism about to be described.

Secured to the front face of bracket 19 by screws 31 is a dial 32 provided adjacent the perimeter thereof with a circular series of consecutive numerals, preferably 0 to 19 as indicated in Figure 1 for designating meas ured units of fluid in a mann-er hereinafter described. inwardly of the series of numerals, dial 32 is preferably provided with index lines 33 corresponding to the numerals,

and the designations gallons, 2l/L gallon,

1/2 gallon and 374 gallon are arranged consecutively 90 degrees apart around the dial. rll`h-e dial 32 is maintained stationary and the indicators about to be described move relatively thereto.

The gear 12 above referred to meshes with gear 34 detachably secured to the inner end of a vertically disposed shaft 35, as indicated at 36. Shaft 35 is journaled for rotation in .bracket 19 adajacent the inner and outer ends thereof as indicated at 37 and 38 respectively (Figure 2). An adjustable thrust bearing collar 39 .is secured to shaft 35 by screw 40. y

Secured to the outer end of shaft 35 is a bushing 41 on which is rotatably mounted a bevel gear or pinion 42. Fixed to the hub 43.

of pinion 42 is a cam 44, shown in detail in Figure 5, and which, as indicated, is provided with a projectionv 45 defining a rela-` tively sharp shoulder 46 for a purpose presently to be described. Secured to the under 'Lamina face of cam 44 as indicated at 47 is one end of a relatively stiff sprin wire 48 whose free end extends into a ker- 49 in the hub 43 of pinion 42 and into frictional contact with bushing 41, thus providing a frictional drive connection between shaft 35 and pinion 42 permitting reverse movement of said pinion for a purpose later described.

Bevel pinion 42 meshes with bevel pinion 51 secured to a unit indicator shaftv52 by a set screw 53. Shaft 52 extends through dial 32 and has secured adjacent the outer end thereof by means of a set screw -54 a collar 55 to which the unit indicator hand 56 is secured in any approved manner. A worm 57 is secured to the shaft 35 by a screw 57 in lmeshing engagement with a wormwheel 58 (Fig. 3) secured to a counter shaft A59 to which a collar 62 is secured by means of a set screw v61. Rotatably mounted on stub shaft 59 is a spur gear 63 to which is secured one end of a looped spring wire 64 in frictional engagement with collar 62 thereby es tablishing a friction drive between stub shaft 59 and spur gear 63. Gear 63 meshes with a' gear 65 fixedly secured to a collar 66 which in turn is secured by a set screw 67 to a sleeve 68 surrounding shaft 52 and to the outer end of which a collar 71 is secured by means of a set screw 69, which collar, as indicated, extends through an aperture disposed centrally of dial 32 and has fixed theretothe indicator hand 72 which moves only a fraction of a revolution for each complete revolution of the unit indicating hand 56. The collar 66 is provided with a recess defining a single tooth 75 arranged to receive the end ,of a pawl 76 pivotally mounted on frame 19 as indicated at 77, the pawl being maintained in engagement with Vthe periphery of collar 66 by a spring 78 and the tooth 75 being so disposed that the end of pawl76 will be engaged therewith when both'indicator hands 56 and 72 are moved reversely to their zero position, thus preventing reverse movement of the indicator hands in the resetting thereof beyond their zero position.

The gear 65 has pivotally secured thereto at 79 a pawl '81 the end of which'is main-4 tained in engagement with the periphery of the hub portion of pinion 51 by a suitable .spring and the hub portion is provided with a recess 82 formed to provide a shoulder to be engaged by the end of pawl 81 when pinion 51 is operatedin its reverse direction in resetting` the indicator hands.

The resetting of the indicator -hands is effected by a ratchet mechanism 83 (Figs. 1,

6 and 9) comprising a ratchet wheel 84 threaded on the outer end of shaft 52, said wheel serving to maintain a knob 85 rota'- tively mounted on shaft 52 between wheel 84 and indicator hand 56. Secured to knob 85 by. pin 86 is a pawl member 87 for cooperation4 with ratchet wheel 84 and maintainedy in engagement therewith by aA spring 86 secured at one end thereof to a pin 87 in knob 85. A cap 88 is threadedly engaged p with knob 85 for enclosing the ratchet and pawl members presenting a neat external appearance. ranged so that knob 85 together with cap 88 can be turned independently of shaft 52 in the direction of indicating operation thereof -but imparts rotation to Vshaft 52 in the opposite or reverse direction for resetting the in- The. ratchet mechanism is ardicating hands 56 and 7 2 in a manner hereinafter referred to. Knob 85 is further provided with a flange 85 for.` preventing the frictional drive connection including spring 48. Pinion 42 imparts. rotation to shaft 52 through pinion 51 which shaft imparts rotation to the unit indicating'hand 56. Simultaneously with these movements rotation is imparted to stub shaft 59 through worm wheel 58 meshing with worm 57 which through the frictional drive connection including spring 64 and collar 62 imparts rotation to gear 6.3 which, through meshing engagement with gear 65,y impartis rotation to sleeve 68 which imparts rotation to the indicator hand 72. During these operative movements pawl 81 rides in spring pressed engage.- ment' over the hub of pinion 51 in a direction opposite to the shoulder defined by recess 82 and pawl 76 rides in spring pressedv engagement over the surface of collar 66 in a direction opposite `to the shoulder portion of tooth f knob through cooperatingratchet and pawl members 84 and 87 imparts rotation to shaft 52, which in turn imparts rotation to pinion 51. As shaft 52 is rotated the unitindicating 1hand 56 will be rotated therewith and when handl56 comes in alinement with hand 72v pawl 81 will engage the tooth defined by rece 82 as a result of which the rotation of shaft 52 will be imparted to sleeve 68 through gear 65 and collar 66 which will effect a like rotation of hand 72. When upon continued rotation o'shaft 52 through cap 88 hands 56 and 72 reach the zero position pawl 76 will engage tooth 75 thusp'reventing the rei;

verse movement of hands 56 and 72 beyond the zero position.

The resettlng operation just described is permitted by the frictional drives described.,

which permit rotation of pinion 42 on bushing- 41 and rotation of gear 63 on stub shaft 59, the frictional drives permitting relatively free rotation of pinion42 and gear 63 with respect to bushing 41 and stub shaft 59 operatively associated with drivin shaft 35 but clutches 48 and 64 frictiona ly engage bushing 41 and collar 62 with sufficient spring pressure to effect certain rotation of pinion'.

42 and gear 63 through bushing 41 and collar 62 upon rotation of shaft 35 in the direction caused by meter 10.

An audible indicator, in the form of a bell 89, is provided, which bell is mounted within the casing and is detachably secured by a 25' screw 91 to a stud 92 provided with a reduced mally engaged by a stop arm 102 carried by bracket 99. Bracket 99 is provided with a laterally yieldable arm 103 pivotally con- Iiected within a recess 104 in bracket 99 by means of a vertical pivot pin 105. Arm 103 is normally maintained in parallelism with bracket 99 by means of a spring 106 having a coiled end 107 the tip of which is secured to bracket 99 at 108. Said springl has an extension 109 thereof slidably engaged in a recess 111 in arm 103 urging arm 103 into parallelism with bracket 99 which is limited by engagement of a shoulder 112 on arm 103 with a lug 113 on bracket 99.

Stop arm 102 is normally maintained in engagement with shoulder 101 by means of a spring 114 having one end thereof detachably secured to a lug 115 on bracket 99 and cel esl

the opposite end thereof detaehably secured to a lug 116 carried by bracket 19 thus maintaining the end 117 of arm 103 yieldably in position for engagement by cam'45 in a manner hereinafter referred to. Detachably secured to bracket 99 by a set screw 119 is one end of a spring arm 121 to the outer end of which is secured a bell clapper 122. It will be observed that the bracket 99 is pulled toward cam 44 by a spring, and that the effect of gravity is not substantially relied upon to Amaintain this bracket in engagement with its operating cam, as heretofore proposed. This results in a smooth operating arrangement actuated with certainty with the same degree of force at each operation.

The operation of the parts just described is as follows vinner .surface thereof at shoulder 46 which causes clapper 122 to strike a blow against the bell 89 in a manner that will be obvious.

When the indicator hands 56 and 72 are being resetto their zero positiony the cam 44 is rol tated in a direction reverse to that indicated by the arrow in Figure 5 and the shoulder 46 of the cam engages the forward face of arm 103 viewing Figure 3. causing the arm to swing about the pivot pin 105'in opposition to spring 106 which permits arm 103 to yield thus allowing shoulder 46 to .clear the bracket without effecting the operation of the bell. The varm 103 automatically s rings to its normal position when the shoul er 46 has passed arm 103 in effecting the resetting of the indicator hands.

A totalizing register 123 may be provided. This is operated by an eccentric 124 detachably secured to shaft 35 by a set screw 125, the eccentric 124 comprising a hub member 126 provided with channel 127 jointly defined by hub member 126 and a disk 128 detachably secured to hub member 126 by a set screw 129. Operatively seated in channel 127 is the circular portion 131 of a crank 132 pivotally secured at 133 to an operating arm 134 of register 123, which register is detachably secured to bracket 19 by screws 135. In order to cover the reading of the totalizing re ister 123 from ordinary observation a mova le shutter 136 is provided adapted tobe moved into position across an opening 137 in dial 32. In order to control the movement of shutter 136 it is preferably pivoted on a pin 138 (Fig. 3) suitably secured to bracket 19 and provided with an operating arm 139 projecting outwardly through a slot 141 in casing 14 (Figure 3). A stop 140 is secured to bracket 19 for limiting shutter 136 in its opening position. The totalizing register is driven by shaft 35 that is 'geared directly to the meter shaft. Accordingly when the meter operates the totalizing register will operate to correctly totalize its operation. In this construction it will be observed that if an attempt -is made for fraudulent purposes to turn the meter backward by forcing air therethrough, as has been attempted, the totalizing register will register such reverse movement.

In order to prevent over-running of the register upon the cessation of the rpassage of fluid through meter 10 shaft 52 and sleeve 68, which respectively operate indicator hands 56 and 72, operate under a constant braking aclspring wire 142 (Fig. 6) secured at one endk thereof to bracket 19 and having the free sol tion, the former of which is eected by a stiff extension thereof engaged in a recess 143 is the hub of pinion 51 under constant spring pressure and the latter is effected by a similar spring wire 145 secured at one en'd thereof to bracket 19 and having the free extension thereof yieldably engaged with the periphery of sleeve 68.

These yieldable friction engaging wires 142 and 145 enga e pinion 51 and sleeve 68 respectively wit sufficient spring pressure to stop the moving parts after meter 10 has ceased operation to prevent over-running of the register, but such pressure is not made suilicient to exert any undue pressures tending to prevent the rotation of pinion 51 and sleeve 68 upon rotation of shaft 35 upon the operation of meter 10 or to generate a substantial opposition to the resetting of the indicator hands.

These friction wires are suiiiciently stiff,

however, to exert a slight braking or a steadying effect on the movable parts to cause the meter parts to move more uniformly during operation without jumping. Obviously the stiffness of the wires 142,and 145 maybe varied to give a different retarding action to the meter.

Dial 32 is provided with va plurality of headed studs 147 preferably three in number,

an upper central one shown in'Figure 2 and.

two laterally spaced .ones symmetrical with the upper Acentral one shown in Figure 1.

vThese studs are adapted to removably maintain a price ring 148 against the outer surface of dial 32, the ring being applied by slippin it over the indicator hands 56 and 72 an bringing the enlarged portions of keyhole slots 149 into registry with studs 147 whereupon ring 148 is moved into engagement with dial 32 and lshifted angularly until the Shanks of studs'147 move into the reduced portions of keyholevslots 149 thus detachablyholding price ring 148 in position. v The price ring 148 as indicated in Fi ure 1 has a unit price designation thereon at t e top thereof and is provided with a circular series of price designations opposite the index lines 33 on dial 32 and consequently the gallon indicating numerals on dial 32 and the price of the indicated` number appear in/proximity the price designations being the productof the unit price indicated on ring 148 by the gallon designation yopposite the successive price designations. Different price rings may readily be substituted when the price of gasoline changes.

As above stated, indicator hand 56 moves throughout an entire revolution for each unit of liquid metered and indicator hand 72 moves from one lindex line 33 to the next for each unit of liquid metered. As indicated inv Figure 1 the outer end of hand 72 is substan-v tially rectangular defining a sight opening 151 of suicient dimensions to enclose or surround any of the price designations on ring 148, as a consequence of which indicator hand 72 not only clearly indicates the number of gallons purchased as shown by the numerals on dial 32 opposite hand 72, but itl also shows total cost of the liquid purchased.

As'indicated in Figure 1 dial 32, within ring 148 is provided with oppositely disposed headed studs 152 for detachable engagement within slots 153 of an oiiicial State approval plate 154 when such is required. j

The rear end of casing 14 is closed by a anged removable cover plate '155 detachabl secured to casing 14 by screws 156 and whic maybe provided with an opening 157 for the projection therethrough of a portion of bell 89 ,as indicated in Figure 2. v f

The front end of casing 14 is vslitted and bent inwardly at a plurality' of points as in'- dicated at 159 for engagement by the inner face of a crystal 161 maintained in engagement therewith by an annular yieldable member 162 detachably seated within an inturned flange 163 of a ring 164, detachably secured to casing 14 by screws 165. The member 162 is provided with laterally spaced finger engaging extensions 166 whereby the member may be contracted for ldisengagement from within iange 163 for effecting removal of crystal 161 through the opening within flange 163.

A modified form of the invention is disclosed in Figure 7 embodying a double faced register and indicator. In this form of the invention the construction above disclosed is converted into a double faced register vby providing a'wider casing 14 and detachably .connecting an auxilaryfbracket, having a dial and indicating `hands similar to those above p j described mounted therein, to the opposite face of-bracket 19. Said auxiliaryracket is indicated by'171 and it is detachably secured to bracket 19 by bolts 172. It is provided further with dial supporting ribs 173 and 174 to which a dial 32 'similar to dial 32 is secured by screws 3 1.- Bracket 171 is further provided Witha boss 175 in which is rotatably journaled a sleeve68 similar to sleeve 68 to the outer end of whichv is secured a collar 71 similar to-collar 71 and to which issecured a hand 72 similar'to hand 72. A shaft 52', similar to shaft 52, is rons v tatably journaled in sleeve 168' and has seresponding to gear 65 and having pivotally secured thereto a pawl 81 similar to pawl 81. Meshing with gear 65 is a gear 63 similar to gear 63. Said gear 63 is mounted on a stub shaft 59 and operatively connected' thereto by a'spring friction drive 64 secured to gear 63 and frictionally engaging a collar 62 fixed to shaft 59. Shaft v59is driven by a worm gear 'similar to gear 58 disposed on the opposite side of worm 57 and in mesh therewith for effecting rotation of gear 63 in an opposite direction to gear 63 and thereby through gear 65 and sleeve 68 imparting rotation tohand 72 in a direction opposite to hand 72 and in the same direction as hand 56. 'The dial l32 is covered with a crystal 161 secured in position and designated by the same reference characters primed.

In this formof the invention a sin le totalizing register 123 is employed and t e 'reset- 'ting' ofthe opposite hands is effected by a single rachet mechanism 83 which through p, pinion 42 effects simultaneous rotation of shafts 52 and 52 in opposite directions and while it is necessary in the resetting operation to provide a pawl 81 and 81 for interconnecting the respective shafts 52 and 52 with sleeve 68 and 68 a single pawl 7 6 is sufficient for preventing reverse rotation'of the indicator hands on dials 32 and 32 beyond their zero position.

It will be observed that the auxiliary bracket 171 has theshaft 52 journaled therein, and that it carries-all of the ears by which the motion is transferred rom the shaft 35 operated by the meter to the indicating hands that move over the dial 32 and that `when the auxiliary bracket 171 is attached to the bracket 19 the bevel' gear 51 meshes with the bevelpinion 42 and a worm wheel similar to the worm wheel 58 meshes' with the worm 57. Rotation'in the proper direction is thus imparted to the indicator that moves through a complete revolution for each unit of the gasoline dispensed, as well a s to the indicator that moves through a ortion of the'revolution for each unit." he

4varrangement justdescribed, whereby a sinto the top'p'vthereof and the clapper bracket may be pivotally mounted thereon adjacent the shaft 35 so that the clapper bracket may be driven by the meter shaft. Byl this arrangement all of the lparts may be housedwithinthe. of the register.

The ratchet and pawl mechanism disposed indicator hand on either dial and by the pro.-

Pal'ts' Y by U. S. Letters .It will be observed further that the bracket 19 is formed so that the bell may be secured direction in which they are intended to be driven by the meter when the register is serving its registeringfunction, said person can not impose strains on the registering mech-4 anism, that would tend to damage the mechanism thereof.

The operation of tion is similar to that above set forthwith f respect to the first form of the invention and the resetting operations are carried out in a similar manner. l

It will be seen that a'single bell 89 is sufficient for providing an alarm for the unit vision of a single bell and the lengthening of casing 14 the bell is completely housed within casing 14 centrally of dials 32 and 32.

It will be seen from the above disclosure that the single faced register u converted into the double faced re ster and this form of the invencan be readily l A the double faced register as rea '1y cony verted into the single faced register.

In Figure 8 is disclosed a modification of the invention, wherein a ring 164 is provided and adapted for detachable engagement with the -end of casing 14. Rin 164 is provided with an inwardl directed ange 181 defining a shoulder 182 or engagement with the en of casing 14 and an opposltely disposed shoulder 183 for engagement by rcrystal 161. Ring 164' is provided with a channel 1 84 adjacent the outer end thereof for the detachable'engagement therein of member 162 for holding the crystal in engagement with shoulder 183. By the provision of ring 164 the crystall can be removed as a unit therewith.

The invention maybe embodied in other considered in all being indicated by the ap nded claims rather than by the foregoing escription, and

all changes which come within the meaning and 'range or equivalence of the claims are 'therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What we claim as new and desire to secure Patent is:

respects as illustrative and A y-not restrictive, the scope of the invention 1. In a register/having a dial, indicators .Y

movable over said dial and mechanism to simultaneously move said Vindicators at diifer- Aent rates of movement over .said dial, said mechanism including gearscarried by a vertical shaft for respectively driving said indicators, the, combination of means to convert said register into a double face register comprising a bracket supporting a Asecond dial indicators movable over said dial and mechanism to operate said indicators at. rates of movement corresponding respectively to the rates of movement of said rst named indicators, said bracket being formed so that when it is secured in pos'tionthe operating mechanism carried thereby'will mesh with said ars,

2. n a liquid dispensing apparatus, a liquid meter within a casfng having an open top, a vertically arranged shaft within said meter casing and driven b said meter, a geariixedly mounted'on sai shaft, a register mechanism within a'cas'ng having an open bottom, a vertically-arranged shaft in said register mechanism, ia gear fiXedly-mounted thereon and engaged with the gear on said meter shaft, and means connecting then open bottom of said register casing to the open top of said meter casing for relative adjust.

ment about the said meter shaft as an axis, the gear mounted on the re ister shaft taking a planetary movement a out the gear on the meter shaft during such adjustment. i

3. A combined meter and register mechanism comprising a meter casing, a shaft driven by the meter mechanism, Aa register shaft assembly, intermeshing gears onthe meter shaft and the register shaft assembly and yieldable friction means engaging a portion of the register shaft assembly to prevent over-running thereof and to exert a slight` braking and steadying effect on the movable register shaft assembly. v

4. T he invention as defined in claim 3 wheren said assembly comprises a register shaft having ferent from that ofthe register shaft, indicating hands on said register shaft 'and sleeve, and'said yieldable friction means being in engagement with said sleeve to pre-- i first-named indicators.

6.l The combination as defined in claim 5, in which said main bracket on its face opposite the dial carried thereby is cut away and .in which said supplementary .bracket supports a portion of the mechanism carried ,thereby so thatit'can project thrugh said cut-away portion and be brought into engagement with the mechanism arranged in said main bracket.

7. The invention as dened inclaim 5 wherein said .mechanism for operating said indicators includes 'friction driving means a sleeve journaled thereon, means -for driving said sleeve at a speed difwhereby both sets of indicators may be vsimultaneously reset to zero position.

8. In a register of the class described, having a main bracket, comprising' an open frame with a dial, indicators, and operatingA and resetting mechan'sm mounted therein; the combinatio with supporting means, of la supplementary bracket carrying a second dial and indicators, mechanism for operating and resetting the indicators in said supplementary bracket, and means detachably supporting said supplementary bracket from said main bracket with the operating mechanism thereof interconnected with the operating mechanism of said main bracket,

whereby said indicators operate in unison, said supplementary bracket and its operating mechaii'sm being removable for converting said register to a single dial register;

9. In a register of the class described comprising a main driving shaft; a unit indicator shaft having Van indicating element secured thereto; gearing for driving said unit shaft from said main shaft, including a constantly engaged friction drive; a sleeve supported by said unit shaft having an indicating 4element secured thereto; a reduction gearing drive connecting said sleeve and said main driving' shaft including a constantly engagedfriction drive; a set-back mechanism for said unit shaft having a one-way clutch engageable to resetfsaid shaft but freed therefrom if said mechanism is operated in registering direction; and means to operatively connect said sleeve and unit shaft lfor simultaneous rotation during resetting.

' 10. In a register of the class described having a main brach/et, a main vdriving shaft, two dials, anda'unit indicator and a multiple indicator movable overeach dial; the

combination of separate unit shafts carryios y ing said unit indicators; gearing connecting each unit shaft' with said main shaft including a' constantly engaged friction drive;

lsepara-te sleeves carrying said multiple indicators and supported by said unit shafts;

reduction gearing connecting said sleeves with said main driving shaft including a constantly engaged friction drive; a setback knob on one unit shaft having a one.

Way ratchet engageable to reset both said vunit shafts but freed therefrom if said-knob iao comprising a main driving shaft; a, unit indicator shaft having an indicating element secured thereto; mechanismfor driving said unit shaft from said main shaft, including a constantly engaged friction drive which h-as sufficient strength to positively couple said shafts for registering movement but which will yield to permit'- independent reverse rotation of the unit shaft; a sleeve supported byl said unit shaft having an indicating element rotatable therewith; reduction mechanism for driving saidsleeve at a fraction of the speed of the unit shaft; a set'- back mechanism for said unit shaft having a one-way clutch engageable to reset said shaft but freed therefrom ifsa-id mechanism is operated -in registering direction; and

means to operatively connect said sleeve and unit shaft for simultaneous rotation during resetting.

13. In the combination defined in claim p ,'12, said constantly engaged friction drive comprisingthe sole yielding connection be.- tween said mainv and unit shafts; and vsald reduction mechanism embodying means per` mitting reverse movement of both indicating elements at4 the same speed after said sleeve and unit shaftjhave been operatively connected during the resetting operation.

14. In a'register` of the class described,l comprising a framework in combination with an encased dial; a main driving shaft journaled in said framework; an indicator shaft coupled to said driving shaft, said indicator shaft being journaled in said frame-work for projection through said dial and carrying an indicating hand .for cooperation with the latter: a resetting-mechanism for said .indicating hand, said mechanism being directly connected to said rotatable indicator shaft for positively engaging and rotating the latter in reverse direction and designed to-be freely disengaged to prevent manual actuation of said indicator shaft in registering direction; and the coupling between said shafts embodying a frictional connection pertures.

mitting independent reverse movement of said indicator shaft relative to said main shaft during the resetting-operation.

In testimony whereof we aiiix our signa- HARRY G. WEYMOUTH. EARL M. LK mnnnnn. 

